Twelve killed in Indian Kashmir violence amid virus lockdown

India regularly accuses its arch-rival Pakistan of arming and sending rebels across the heavily militarised border

Kashmir has waged a three-decade-long armed rebellion against Indian rule with tens of thousands of lives lost in conflict

Updated 05 April 2020

AFP

April 05, 2020 09:49

SRINAGAR: Nine suspected militants and three soldiers were killed in two separate incidents in Indian-administered Kashmir, officials said Sunday, as authorities enforced a lockdown to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Kashmir, a restive region claimed by nuclear rivals India and Pakistan, had already been under a long-running curfew imposed to quell unrest as New Delhi scrapped the Himalayan valley’s semi-autonomous status on August 5.
Indian army spokesman Col. Rajesh Kalia said five armed militants were killed early Sunday in the northern Keran area close to the de facto border known as the Line of Control (LoC) that divides the disputed territory with Pakistan.
The clashes also left three soldiers dead and critically injured several more, he said in a brief statement.
The fighting came within 24 hours of another gunbattle between suspected rebels and government forces in the southern Kulgam area that left four dead.
Police said all four were militants from the local area.
Kashmir has waged a three-decade-long armed rebellion against Indian rule with tens of thousands of lives, mostly civilians, lost in the conflict.
India regularly accuses its arch-rival Pakistan of arming and sending rebels across the heavily militarised border. Islamabad denies the claims.

Malaysia reports 19 new coronavirus cases; no deaths

The health ministry reported no deaths, with total fatalities remaining at 117

Updated 7 min 47 sec ago

Reuters

June 07, 2020 09:38

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian health officials reported 19 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, taking the cumulative total to 8,322.
The health ministry also reported no deaths, with total fatalities remaining at 117.